Minimum Wage: Labour Counters Tinubu, Says No Decision Has Been Reached

By Mohammed Bello Doka

Organised labour has refuted claims of an agreed minimum wage, stating that no final decision has been reached. Trade Union Congress (TUC) President Festus Osifo announced yesterday that the previously demanded figure of N250,000 is not fixed and is open to negotiation.

Speaking on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief, Osifo clarified, "There is no figure that is sacrosanct; there is no figure that is cast in stone that both parties will be fixated on." This indicates a shift from the initial rigid demand, showing labour's willingness to adjust their expectations based on economic realities.

This statement comes in response to President Bola Tinubu’s recent Democracy Day broadcast, where he mentioned that an agreement on the new national minimum wage had been reached. Just last Wednesday, the acting President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Prince Adewale Adeyanju, reaffirmed labour’s demand for N250,000, calling it a significant concession from Nigerian workers during the tripartite negotiation process.

The federal government has yet to respond to labour’s latest stance. However, the Senate has pledged to expedite the consideration and passage of the new minimum wage bill, which President Tinubu is expected to present soon.

Osifo expressed labour's dissatisfaction with the current offer from the federal government and the Organised Private Sector (OPS) of N62,000, which was initially rejected. The states, represented on the Tripartite Committee, had expressed their inability to meet even the N60,000 figure proposed earlier.

The Tripartite Committee has submitted its recommendations to President Tinubu, who will decide on the final figure to be sent as an executive bill to the National Assembly. Osifo emphasized that labour’s efforts would not end until the Minimum Wage Act 2024 is enacted.

He noted that should the President propose a figure unfavourable to labour, the unions would take their case to the lawmakers, pushing for an increase. "Our work does not end until the Minimum Wage Act becomes law," Osifo vowed, underscoring the persistent determination of labour leaders.

As the debate over the new minimum wage continues, organised labour remains vigilant and prepared to advocate for a wage that reflects the economic challenges faced by Nigerian workers. The coming weeks will be critical in determining the outcome of this pivotal issue.